Southern California Grocery Workers Pave Way For Strike

Grocery workers could go on strike as soon as Sunday night in response to inaction on health care benefits, the workers' union said Thursday.

Eight months into contract negotiations, Southern California grocery workers issued a 72-hour notice Thursday night to cancel a contract extension and pave the way for a strike, said Rick Icaza, president of Grocery Workers Union Local 770.

A strike isn't guaranteed for workers at Albertsons, Ralphs and Vons, but cancelling the contract removes the final barrier to a strike.

In separate statements Thursday, all three grocers said they were disappointed in the union's move and they will remain in active negotiations.